Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Glaucoma is most
often treated with eye drops, but today we know that laser
treatment for glaucoma is
regarded as a safe and effective treatment for glaucoma and may be considered
as first-line therapy in early to moderate-stage open-angle glaucoma when eye
pressure or IOP is less than 35 mm Hg. Recent research presented at the World Glaucoma
Congress also
indicated that the SLT Laser may also be useful for glaucoma induced by the use
of steroids and the ALT and SLT Laser may be useful in treating pigmentary
glaucoma. But, we know that laser
treatments for glaucoma are not a cure and that meticulous follow up and
monitoring is necessary to ensure that patients continue to do well over time
in order to preserve eye health and vision.

Monday, March 10, 2014

You might be surprised to learn
that sleep apnea can increase your risk
of developing glaucoma and sleep apnea is actually a risk factor for
glaucoma! What do sleep apnea and your risk of developing glaucoma have in
common? Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that blocks breathing during sleep
for more than 100 million people worldwide. In obstructive sleep apnea, the
airway becomes blocked, causing breathing to stop for up to two minutes.
Symptoms include loud snoring and persistent daytime sleepiness. Glaucoma
affects nearly 60 million worldwide. If
untreated, glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and eventually may cause
blindness by damaging the Optic Nerve.

Researchers, reporting in the
journal Ophthalmology,
the official publication of the American
Academy of Ophthalmology found that obstructive sleep apnea is not simply a marker for poor health, but is actually an
independent risk factor for open-angle glaucoma. The relationship between
the two conditions is significant, given the large numbers of people worldwide
who suffer from them. Based on this
finding, we want to alert obstructive sleep apnea patients of the associations
between obstructive sleep apnea and open-angle glaucoma to raise the issue and
encouraging treatment of those who need it.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Your risk of developing cataracts
might be reduced with either moderate exercise such as walking or more vigorous
exercise such as running according to a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports
by researchers at the Life Sciences Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory. In previous studies the risk of cataracts formation was found to be
lower in runners over time. In this Berkeley study when the incidence of
cataracts was adjusted for sex, race, age, education, smoking, and intakes of
meat, fruit and alcohol, lower cataract risk was significantly associated with
both running and walking with no significant difference in risk reduction
between running and walking, or between men and women. Further, the cataractrisk appears to decrease linearly with increasing exercise energy expenditure.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center

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Scott Buck, M.D.

Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, LASIK & Cataract Surgeon Scott Buck, M.D. is the Founder of Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, P.C. Dr. Buck earned his Medical Degree at Indiana University School of Medicine followed by a Residency in Ophthalmology at The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Buck provides examination, consultation and treatment for eye diseases as well as Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK Eye Surgery for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In addition, Dr. Buck provides implants (IOL) for the correction of astigmatism and near vision after Cataract Surgery. Further, he has a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular surface problems such as dry eye and dry eye syndrome and takes personal pride in providing patients with help for dry eyes. In addition, Dr. Buck and his staff are committed to helping patients look their best with both non-surgical aesthetic treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and gel fillers such as Restylane® and Perlane, as well as cosmetic eyelid surgery such as Blepharoplasty to help with droopy, puffy or saggy eyelids.